WINNERS: Best of La Jolla 2010

THE READERS HAVE SPOKEN

Thanks to those of you who voted for your favorite businesses, restaurants and people in the La Jolla Light’s 12th Best of Readers Poll. Our readers weren’t shy about voting for the best of the best in La Jolla. You’ll find some of the same names listed as in past years as well as an array of the newest places on the La Jolla scene, and some who took honors in more than one category. Congratulations to all of the winners and the second- and thirdplace finishers — and thanks to all our readers who took the time to vote.

As you wander through the list, remember the merchants, restaurateurs, hoteliers and professionals listed here are what make La Jolla a great place to live, work and visit. Support them by shopping and dining and frequenting their establishments.

Smashburger “Thank you, La Jolla, for voting Smashburger ‘Best New Restaurant in La Jolla.’ We are now open in the Del Mar Plaza and Mission Valley’s Hazard Center, too!”

Aroma Café

Cups

Best breakfast

The Cottage “Thanks to everyone for your continued support. We had another great year! A big thanks to all the La Jolla Light readers who took the time to vote online.”

Harry’s Coffee Shop

Brockton Villa

Best lunch

George’s at the Cove

Burger Lounge

The Cottage

Best takeout

Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza

Burger Lounge

Prep Kitchen

Best brunch

La Valencia Hotel “Thank you La Jolla for voting La Valencia as the Best Hotel and Best Brunch for 10 consecutive years.”

Brockton Villa

Beaumont’s

Best burger

Burger Lounge “All of us at Burger Lounge are humbled by your vote. We thank you for your gracious support.”

Smashburger

The Spot

Best family restaurant

Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza

Beaumont’s

The Cottage

Best wine

George’s at the Cove

Vigilucci’s

Beaumont’s

Best outdoor restaurant

George’s at the Cove

Museum Café

Piatti

Best margarita

Alfonso’s “Thank you La Jolla for your support over the past 39 years. We’ll continue to provide quality food and service in the community.”

Jose’s

Su Casa

Best coffee shop

Bird Rock Coffee Roasters “This is an honor not only for us and to our employees, but for our direct trade farmers who work tirelessly all year to provide us with exquisite coffee.”

Pannikin

Brick & Bell

Best sandwich

Girard Gourmet “We love La Jolla and its residents. We are happy to be voted Number 1. We strive to know all our customers by name and consider you all our family.”

El Pescador

Salami Shop

Best sushi

Sushi on the Rock “Thanks to the La Jolla Light readers and to everyone in the community for voting Sushi on the Rock best sushi in La Jolla. You rock!”

Zenbu

Roppongi

Best dessert

Michele Coulon Bakery

The French Gourmet

Cups

Best pizza

Sammy’s Woodfired Pizza

Pizza on Pearl

Extreme Pizza

Best steak

Donovan’s

Fleming’s

La Jolla Strip Club

Best American

Harry’s Coffee Shop

Beaumont’s

The Spot

Best Asian fusion

Roppongi

Café Japengo

Zenbu

Best Chinese

P.F. Chang’s

Mandarin House

China Chef

Best seafood

El Pescador “Thanks to the community for making El Pescador a La Jolla tradition for 35 years.”

George’s at the Cove

Marine Room

Best Mediterranean

Piatti “On behalf of the staff here at Piatti, we would like to thank all of La Jolla for making us apart of their restaurant experience for the past 20 years! We look forward to serving you delicious, quality driven, inspired food for many more!”

Marketplace Grille

Trattoria Acqua

Best French

Tapenade “The best cooking advice is more than a recipe, it is coming from my heart, a taste buds logic. Thank you for voting Tapenade Best French. Cheers.” — Jean-Michel Diot

French Gourmet

Aroma Café

Best bakery

French Gourmet “Thank you for voting for us! Even as culinary trends come and go, we are so lucky to still be a local favorite after all of these years!”

Michele Coulon

Girard Gourmet

Best Italian

Piatti

Vigilucci’s

Osteria Romantica

Best Mexican

Alfonso’s

Su Casa

Jose’s

Best Thai

Spice & Rice

La Basil

Chedi Thai

Best catering

Giuseppe “We are always trying to create the best food and service for every customer. Whether it is at the Museum Café, or for catered events. Large or small.”

French Gourmet

Girard Gourmet

Best vegetarian

Lean & Green “Thank you for voting us best vegetarian restaurant in La Jolla. When planning your organic and eco-friendly holiday event think Lean & Green for all of your holiday catering needs.”

Spice & Rice

Marrakesh

Best ice cream/yogurt

Froglanders “Thank you La Jolla for all the love and support you have offered since 1986. We look forward to seeing your familiar faces for years to come. Ribbit! Ribbit!”

Cold Stone

Baskin Robbins

Best pharmacy

Burns Drugs “All of us at Burns feel the community is our family. We are proud to be part of your health care team and sincerely appreciate your support and loyalty to Burns Drugs.”

CVS

Pharmaca

Best art gallery

Contemporary Fine Art “Thanks to our many loyal clients who have honored us by voting us Best Gallery in La Jolla. We invite you to stop by and say hi and see what’s new.”

Quint Gallery

Madison

Best men’s apparel

Ascot Shop “We are very grateful and appreciative for all the support from our wonderful friends and clients who keep coming back all these years.”

Brooks Brothers

Ralph Lauren

Best shoes

Rangoni-Frenzi “Rangoni Shoes is honored to win Best Shoe store in La Jolla! Delivering a personalized, fashionable shopping experience will continue to be their top priority.”

La Jolla Shoe Gallery

Euro Comfort

Best café

Pannikin

Brick & Bell

Museum Café

Best deli

Girard Gourmet

Cheese Shop

Jonathan’s

Best eyewear/sunglasses

La Jolla Optique “The next best thing to the gift of sight is being voted La Jolla’s Best Optical. Thanks to La Jolla Light readers and our clients.”

Optical Shop of Aspen

San Diego Optical

Best jewelry

Bowers “We would like to express our gratitude. It is an honor to be an award-winning business, however it is more important to us that we are a part of this community.”

CJ Charles

Jewels by the Sea

Best furniture

Roche-Bobois

Seaside Home

My Own Space

Best rugs

La Jolla Rugs

Aja Rugs

Prospect Rug

Best hair salon

Alessandro “The team at Alessandro is grateful for your friendship and support through the years.”

Dearinger

Model Call

Best hotel

La Valencia

The Lodge at Torrey Pines

Estancia La Jolla

Best bank

Wells Fargo

Chase

Bank of America

Best grocery

Whole Foods

Vons

Jonathan’s

Best yoga/athletic clothing

Lululemon

Lucy

Bodywear Boutique

Best housekeeping

Merry Maids

Rene’s of La Jolla

The Maids

Best dry cleaner

Margaret’s “We are honored to be acknowledged by the residents of La Jolla. The owners, management and staff are grateful for your continued support.”

La Jolla Cleaners

Ogden’s

Best florist

Adelaide’s “Wow! It’s been over 60 years. We are so proud to be recognized by such a wonderful community. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Bloomers

La Jolla Florist

Best plumber

Bill Howe ““Thank you for choosing Bill Howe Plumbing as La Jolla’s best plumber for the 2nd year! Serving you for 30 years, because We Know Howe!”

Kirk Myron/Myron Plumbing

MD Plumbers

Best women’s boutique

Sigi’s

Encore of La Jolla

Bendl’s

Kerut

Best travel agency

Travel Dynamics

Worldview

Worldwide

Best trainer

Mary Pat Holm

Franz Sniderman

John Lenz

Best day spa

SK Sanctuary “Thank you for selecting us again for the Best Day Spa! We are honored and will continue to do our best to live up to this special distinction!”

Estancia La Jolla Hotel & Spa

The Lodge at Torrey Pines

Best health club

La Jolla Sports Club “The staff at La Jolla Sports Club wants to say thank you and we are honored that you voted us best health club in La Jolla. Live Life Fit.”

24 Hour Fitness

La Jolla’s Finest Fitness (formerly Planet Fitness)

Best yoga

La Jolla Yoga Center “La Jolla Yoga Center was created as much for the community to gather as for the yoga — a place where we can all support each other in a healthy, positive, and caring environment. Thank you all for supporting LJYC. Join us in celebrating our anniversary on Nov. 13.”

Prana

Bikram

Best contractor

Dewhurst “Thank you La Jolla for selecting Dewhurst & Associate as best contractor of the year. Our personal commitment to you for quality craftsmanship and dedicated service has not changed for over 81 years. We appreciate your confidence and loyalty.”

Four by four

Grunow

Best senior living

Casa de Manana “Casa de Manana would like to thank the readers of the La Jolla Light for their continued support in voting us best retirement community for several years in a row.”

White Sands

Seasons at La Jolla

Best dermatologist

Dr. Susan Stuart “I am once again honored and humbled to be chosen as the Best Dermatologist. We strive to provide state of the art cosmetic and laser technology with a warm and personal touch.”

Dr. Scott Boughton

Dr. Mary Dobry

Best dentist

Dr. Joseph D’Angelo “My staff and I would like to extend our heartfelt appreciation to our patients for their votes of confidence and affirmation of our efforts to providing great dental care.”

Dr. John Taddey

Dr. Charles Brisco

Best cosmetic surgeon

Dr. Stephen Krant “I am honored to be voted the Best Plastic Surgeon for the past 10 years. I believe that what sets us apart is the excellent patient care from our entire office and from SK Sanctuary, our award-winning medical day spa.”

Dr. Stuart B. Kincaid

Dr. Robert Singer

Best financial planner

Scott Kyle/Coastwise “At Coastwise we are dedicated to providing worldclass, personalized investment services to our clients. Thanks for voting us the Best in La Jolla” – Scott Kyle, Coastwise Capital Group

Jim Carey

Avelino Cortina III

Best mortgage

Gaylord/Hansen “Thanks for the honor! Our team is ranked in the Top 10 nationally within Bank of America. Every day counts in our industry and we have over 75 years of experience on our team to help you through the process.”

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